Viva! Forces Sainsbury's to stop selling Kangaroo meat

After a high profile consumer campaign by the animal rights group Viva! against the sale of kangaroo meat in Britain, the last remaining supplier conceded defeat today, Tuesday, 26 January. Sainsbury's advised Viva! by letter that sales of all kangaroo meat through the company's more than 300 stores will cease in February due to 'lack of consumer demand'. Tesco, Morrissons, Somerfield and Booker cash and carry had all previously dropped the trade in 'exotic' meats as result of Viva!'s three-year long campaign. British Campaigner Wins Australia's Wildlife Award As a recognition of Viva!'s success in virtually ending the kangaroo meat trade in Britain, the Australian Wildlife Protection Council has awarded its director, Juliet Gellatley, its coveted annual award 'in recognition of her contribution to the conservation and protection of Australian wildlife'. Juliet Gellatley did an Australian speaking and media tour in defence of the kangaroo last March, debating with kangaroo shooters on national TV and radio. Her work ended Australian Meats Ltd., a major exporter of kangoroo, $1 million a year export business. 'The destruction of kangaroos is the biggest wildlife massacre in the world but the implication of Viva!'s victory goes far wider than this. British supermarkets have shown they are perfectly willing to act as Trojan horses for the commercial exploitation of the world's wildlife,' concludes Juliet Gellatley. 'Had we ignored it, a precedent would have been established and supermarkets would now be selling crispy fried wombats, flying foxes and even koalas. The public has great power and we will coordinate the strength whenever it's possible.' Maryland Wilson, President of the Australian Wildlife Protection Council said: 'Viva!'s effort to stop the sale and consumption of kangaroo meat in the UK are of utmost importance to the success of our campaign in Australia. The industry had high hopes for the selling of kangaroo to Britain. Viva!'s amazing victories against Sainsbury's and Tesco are a bitter blow for kangaroo meat industry! For further information: Juliet Gellatley 12 Queen Square Brighton E. Essex BN1 3FD Tel: +44 (0) 1273 777 688 Fax: +44 (0) 1273 776755 e-mail: info@viva.org.uk © European Vegetarian Union - http://www.ivu.org/evu